Home / Education / Newcastle Uni Faces Backlash Over Offender's Return
Newcastle Uni Faces Backlash Over Offender's Return
24 Sep
Summary
- Over 1,200 students signed a petition demanding the university expel convicted stalkers.
- A victim of stalking felt worthless and unsafe after the university allowed her ex-boyfriend to continue his studies.
- The vice-chancellor's email mistakenly alerted the victim's father to reputation concerns.
Newcastle University is currently experiencing a strong student protest following its decision to permit a convicted stalker to resume his academic pursuits. This move has been met with significant opposition, evidenced by a petition gathering over 1,200 signatures, which calls for the immediate expulsion of any student found guilty of stalking from the campus.
The controversy centers on Jefferson Young, who was convicted last year for stalking and revenge porn. His ex-girlfriend, referred to as Amy, had urged the university to bar him after he engaged in persistent, abusive communication and shared an explicit video of her. Despite a community order and a restraining order against him, the university allowed him to continue his degree after a disciplinary hearing.
Amy described feeling devastated and worthless, experiencing a constant fight-or-flight response on campus due to her ex-boyfriend's continued presence. Her anxiety escalated when she discovered Young was returning for postgraduate studies in September. A misdirected email from Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Day to Amy's father revealed concerns that the situation could negatively impact the university's reputation, drawing a comparison to a previous scandal at the University of Warwick.
Legal experts have criticized Newcastle University's handling of the case, stating that Young should have been expelled. They argue that his conviction in criminal court should have been sufficient grounds for expulsion, rather than requiring the victim to provide further evidence. In response to the mounting pressure, the university has agreed to review its student complaints and disciplinary procedures in collaboration with student representatives.
